Yosemite National Park
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Spillway Lake Yosemite National Park |
August 03, 2007
It was decided to cancel the planned shuttle trip from Saddlebag Lake down through Lundy Canyon, partly because the steepest portion of the trail consists of a route across a constantly moving and therefore dangerous talus slope. The Mono Pass trailhead, being just a few miles away, provides a good alternative for today's outing. Despite an ongoing sore-foot problem, I will hike with my friends at least part of the way.
The trailhead parking lot is full to overflowing, as the Yosemite high-country is a busy place today. The temperature is a perfect 60° at 10 a.m. A walk through Dana Meadows is shady and mellow; this stock-suitable route has no rough spots whatever. Dominating the skyline to the west is Mammoth Peak.
Mammoth Peak, 12090*
There are just a few flowers around — mostly yellow balsamroot. At my feet are some tiny, elegant meadow starworts; some have pink anthers, while others are purple.
Balsamroot
Meadow Starworts
Interesting bugs on the Cinquefoil
Shortly up the path we encounter the remains of a miner's cabin, minus its roof. Nearby is a big camp of Miwok Indians; the tribe is performing water-quality tests in this area. Beside the trail a big American flag is planted in the ground. Companions Jeanne and Diane unfurl it to reveal the Miwok version, which features a brave riding a mustang. I didn't know that there was such a thing.
Miner's cabin
The Miwok American flag
At the 2-mile mark is a junction. To the left is Mono Pass and beyond; we opt for the right-hand fork which parallels the creek toward several lakes. The scenery becomes much nicer from here, beginning with a number of beautifully colored rocks. Parker Pass Creek is gorgeous; walking alongside it is exciting and invigorating. There is no way that I would miss this section, bum foot or not.
Nice rock!
Parker Pass Creek
Brewer's Lupine
Amazingly colored Lemmon's Paintbrush
A sawtooth ridge on the Kuna Crest looms above. Presently our destination appears.
The Kuna Crest in the distance
Spillway Lake, 10450'
The hillside is like a rainbow
Pictures cannot do justice to this special place. I flop down on the grass at lakeside; even at this exalted elevation, the water is warm enough for soaking weary feet. From where I sit there are numerous photo opportunities.
A lone Ledge Stonecrop at water's edge
Primrose Monkeyflower
Albeit full, the lake is quite shallow
Just beyond the colorful hill is Helen Lake, the area's biggest; another five or six lakes adorn the ledge just above us. Normally I would want to check them out, but today my foot isn't up to the task. In any case, perhaps it is time to head back, because a five-hour drive home awaits me. A parting photo under a cloud sends us on our way.
View to the north
Starting back down Parker Pass Creek
Midway back, I spot a wonderfully orange-colored tree as well as a wonderfully orange-colored butterfly.
Nice texture
Fritillaries go for daisies
An eastward view of Mount Dana reminds us that our journey is nearly at an end. Hiding in the ground cover is a lone mushroom (toadstool?). The last flower I see on the trail is a shrubby butterweed, I believe; even that is beautiful today — along with everything else.
Mount Dana, Yosemite's second-highest point at 13061*
Recluse
Senior-citizen Butterweed
§: The trail itself was delightful — nary a rough spot in its 4-mile length. Also, the weather was perfect and there were no irritating insects.
A number of great cross-country options are available around here. Half a dozen readily accessible lakes lie just above Spillway Lake. A half-mile easterly scamper would reach the Parker Pass Trail for a nice loop trip which could optionally include a view of distant Mono Lake.
California Hiking Trails
Yosemite National Park
Spillway Lake
Mono Pass
Parker Pass Creek
Kuna Crest